After three days of protesting with camps set up around the state Capitol building in Tallahassee earlier this week following the ‘not guilty’ verdict in the George Zimmerman case, protestors finally got what they wanted: a chance to sit down and meet with Governor Rick Scott to push for a repeal of Florida’s “stand-your-ground” law.
While the governor listened to the protestors and took notes on their comments and suggestions, he stood his ground and did not give in to repeal or change the standing law. However, he did promise them a day of prayer as he rejected the request for a special session to review the “stand your ground” law.
Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, who was unarmed. His attorneys argued that he shot Martin in self-defense.
Detractors argue that the ‘stand your ground’ law doesn’t seem to work the same for blacks. Several cases have popped up that apply to the law but instead blacks were given prison time. Marissa Alexander received a sentence of 21 years after firing a warning shot in the ceiling after being attacked by her husband.
While the governor agreed with the protestors that racial profiling should not exist, he has no plans of revising or reviewing the current “stand your ground” law.
